A WOMAN needed medical treatment after being hit in the face with a football at a charity comedy show in a packed Marlowe Theatre at Canterbury.

She was in the front section of seats at the annual Dave Lee comedy show when Gillingham FC chairman Paul Scally kicked signed balls into the crowd from the stage to raise funds.

One hit the woman in the face. A member of St John Ambulance treated her in the theatre bar before she returned to the show.

St John divisional superintendent Wendy Dungey said: “She did not need to go to hospital and she returned to the show afterwards. We are always on duty at Dave Lee’s shows.”

Marlowe manager Mark Everett said: “This is quite embarrassing for us. We did not know Mr Scally was going to do that and he was full of apology and embarrassment afterwards.

“There’s always an element of anarachy and surprise in Dave’s shows but we did not expect this.

“Professional performers train for the stage. Mr Scally is clearly no performer or, it seems, much of a footballer!”

The woman, who is thought to be from London, was given complimentary tickets to this year’s Marlowe pantomime.

Dave Lee said: “I took the lady to meet Toyah Willcox and some of the other performers back stage and bought her a drink in the bar.

“I offered her free tickets to next year’s show but she said she wouldn’t dream of taking charity tickets for nothing. She left with a football under her arm and a smile on her face.”

Mr Scally was contacted but declined to comment on the incident.